Rescue Blog

03/07/2020-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Life is happening all around us! I can’t believe spring is here and the early flowers are popping up. For some reason, Northwest Animal Companions has been/will be the subject of two college projects (a paper and a short documentary). There is nothing like explaining organizational goals, supports, dreams and values to refine your own priorities and remind you of what is important and what is your next step. For Northwest Animal Companions, the Board has determined that this year we will explore partnering with two separate non-profits. We have worked with them in the past and we want to give them the support we received when we first started because we believe they each fill a niche that is central to the Northwest Animal Companions mission. We will be asking Fuzzball Rescue in Eastern Oregon and Family Promise in Tualatin how we can better support them in 2020. No one really knows what that will look like come December 31, 2020 except that the goal is to keep families intact and create a safe place for animals. Always, ALWAYS a new adventure — what are your goals for 2020? We’d love some help…

09/12/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) There is absolutely nothing like a few days of rain and wind to make a person appreciate dry pavement and sunshine!! After taking a couple of nights off (TOO WET for us to get out and walk in the evening), we went out the last two nights because it was dry. That won’t last either so we are just going to have to hunker down, get used to it and get out there. I was so impressed with a friend of mine who knows her neighbors well enough to realize the gentleman two doors down is home-bound on oxygen. He used to raise/train labs. She has been taking her young lab over to visit him and everyone is happy! As the weather changes and you look around for inside activities — be creative. You can make a difference wherever you are!!

NWAC plans to be at the Tigard K-9 walk/run this Saturday from 8-11am. If you are in the area, and have the time Saturday morning, come over and visit. Kudos to these dogs and handlers that work so hard for all of us. We are honored to support them at their fund-raising event. Our event volunteer puts in amazing hours getting us organized and ready so that the rest of us can just show up and have fun smoozing with everyone. Come out and see us at Cook Park in Tigard – I hope it doesn’t rain, the last forecast I heard said cloudy. I’m OK with cloudy … I’m not OK with three hours outside in the rain. Even with a tent. And a coat. And a cup of something warm. I’m hoping for cloudy and to SEE YOU THERE.

09/07/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) It’s finally here. The Cats Safe At Home catio tour is TODAY! If you are one of the lucky ones with a ticket (the event is sold out) then perhaps I will see you there! Get inspired and do good! If you are a builder-type person, offer your skills to a cat person who is thinking of expanded the world for their cat(s). Already, thank you to the hosts of this year’s tour. In the past, the hosts have been very gracious and generous with their knowledge and catio tips and experience. I enjoy listening to them answer the questions from people taking the tour. The catio my brother made for me (birthday present) is simple but my cats LOVED being outside hunting the bugs that flew in through the screen. And I loved having the litter box not-in-the-house.

When you are finished with the catio tour (or if you didn’t get your ticket) please join NWAC at Mud Bay from 1-4 to see some of our cute kittens ready for adoption. Details on the NW Animal Companions Facebook page – Join Us!!! You will leave with a smile on your face … kittens do that.

08/31/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Odie got a bath last night. He had already been to Dog Gone Clean for a salon consult. Odie had a “meet and greet” this morning at 10am. After Wendy (who has donated groomings for NWAC dogs for 20+ years) looked Odie over and ruffled his wispy, fine hair she rendered the opinion that we should let it grow and only trim his feet/nails. It was a difficult decision because he does remain bald in spots but where his hair has come in, it must be three inches long. His paws are looking so good that he actually resembled a small Clydesdale. So we settled for a bath with paw/nail trim yesterday and then this morning after he was all spiffed up – we went to the meet and greet BUT WE WERE STOOD UP. After thirty minutes, we just went home. I almost got him a consolation treat on the way home but I resisted.

08/28/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) What a mid-day lift! If you are having a bad day (or even if you are not!) go visit some kittens. I visited one of our heroic kitten fosters this noon and I was met by charging kittens. They wound around my feet, batted my shoelaces, pounced on my shadow and then ran up and down the stairs kzillion times. Who can NOT love kittens? We have a lot of kittens right now and as they become ready for adoption, they are listed on Petfinders under Northwest Animal Companions rescue. If you are considering a feline heart-warmer for those soon-to-be-here rainy fall evenings, take a look at these sweet, cute, mile-a-minute bundles of energy. We advise adopting kittens in pairs so they have someone their own size to help run off some of their energy. Be warned — NWAC kittens are irresistibly cute.

08/26/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)The last week of August – can you believe it? Say good-bye to summer with one last trip to the mountains or the beach and take along your fur baby. I’m counting up all my summer projects that haven’t yet been done (or started!) and getting ready to FOCUS. Enjoy the last few days before the days turn grey and rainy. Woo hoo!

08/25/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)So many kittens out there now in foster homes and looking forward to a forever home. Just this weekend, another Mom and kittens found by someone outside at their house – what to do? We will help the family try to trap them so that the kittens and hopefully Mom can get spayed/neutered and some day, some how stop this madness called “kitten season”. September 7 is the annual catio tour hosted by the Feral Cat Coalition. If you have a cat and have never done a catio tour, it is fantastic to see what other people have done to provide a safe, outside space for their cats. I don’t know what the timeline is now, but the last I heard a cat allowed outside has an average lifespan of three years. Inside or catio cats can have a lifespan of 15-20 years. And with catios, we as a community would have a greatly decreased “kitten season”. You can let your cat have protected “outside” time. C’mon, everyone knows someone who would love to be part of a catio project … quality time with friends and family AND enriched environment for your cat and no kitten season. Some of the catios in past tours are huge outside playrooms and some of them are apartment window boxes. There is a size and style (and building plans!!) for every situation. WIN WIN WIN www.catssafeathome.org

08/23/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)Today I am happy for Max. And his new family. And you because you made his life transformation possible. When I met Max almost a year ago he was living with a family who loved him but his life had spun out of control. New extended members of the original family had moved into the house with their pets (all intact) and the dogs started fighting. The larger male dog was making Max’s life miserable. NWAC offered to spay/neuter the animals in the home and so the two male dogs were neutered. It didn’t really change the pattern of behavior and so Max was either outside the house or if inside, confined to a “place”. Wanting to be part of the family, Max would creep under the kitchen table toward the living room and take up a defensive position. Anyone who attempted to move Max was met with a growl and bared teeth. Unfortunately, the family wasn’t in agreement; some members wanted Max rehomed for a better life and some family members weren’t ready to release him. Because we didn’t have a foster home able to take on Max. we did not take him into Rescue. Six months later we met Max again, this time with clear bite marks and healing wounds. We took Max out of the home and placed him with a trainer thinking this might be a difficult recovery. Amazingly, three days later when Max went to the vet for his wellness check, microchip and vaccines, he was a different dog. Instead of cowering, he pranced toward me with sparkling eyes to greet me. I was shocked and asked the trainer how Max was adjusting. The trainer told me Max was getting along with the other dogs and loves people. I put Max up as adoptable and a couple who between them had a wealth of past experience with multiple dogs came forward. Soft-spoken, empty nesters with a low-key home and time to play with him. They saw Max’s sweetness and understood the background. The adoption was completed and last night I left Max with his new family, new bowls, new bed – new life. Thank you from Max and NWAC. You made this new life possible.

08/18/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)It is such a pleasure to meet you! I have spoken to so many potential adopters recently and the caliber of people who are willing to take in a rescue animal to love and nurture is heart-warming. This weekend I met a family who have trained horses for competitions; they were so open to sharing their home and expertise with a new family member. Another smart, sweet dog has gained a loving family. It happens again and again … rescue doesn’t work without every single person doing their part — from the people who bring the animals in to Rescue to the adopters who take up the baton and complete the process with love and structure. Today I was asked by one of our fosters if she could make a flyer to display on the sign-in desk at a week-long arts/crafts camp she is affiliated with — YES YES YES. Let’s get these babies adopted!!! If you have an opportunity, PLEASE USE IT!!

08/13/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) We have the best fosters and the best dogs and cats. It shouldn’t surprise anyone when we lose a foster family as a “foster fail” because they have decided to adopt their foster. It is bittersweet because you know the animal has found a wonderful home but … there are sweet ones in the pipeline who need access to a foster home to get out of the system and into a loving home. In this case, 8 year old Heidi, one of our diva cats, has landed a gig in a third floor apartment with her own sofa right under the big window to watch the world go by, we couldn’t be happier for her. I spoke with a woman at the FUTY festival who was there with her 13 year old daughter and the daughter’s friend. She brings the two girls into a cat shelter so that they can play and socialize with the cats and kittens and SHE starts on the laundry. Until you have volunteered to do animal cage/crate laundry, you have no idea what filthy laundry actually means. We commiserated about the laundry (several other people around us knew EXACTLY what we were talking about) but what a great feeling to pop a sweet someone into a clean environment with fluffy towels/blankets, clean water, clean toys — they snuggle in and thank you with their eyes. It is very satisfying when you can see such a difference in the before and after with your own eyes.

08/12/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) What a perfectly beautiful night last night! It was the third annual FUTY (from us to you) evening sponsored by MudBay as a “thank you” to dog and cat rescue groups in the local area. I met so many people from other rescues who are doing such amazing work. Each rescue seems to have their own focus and passion. It is really encouraging to talk to other people who are up to their elbows in making this world a better place one animal at a time. We all have hopes and dreams for the future – no discouragement in that room last night but I heard a lot of resolve and plans. Rescue groups were encouraged to enter a volunteer with their organization for a “volunteer excellence” award. Rebecca, with NWAC, took the initiative to nominate one of our volunteers Kelley Coe. Amazingly, Kelley was one of three volunteers (of the other two, one was with Puplandia Rescue and the other with Oregon Humane Society) who were recognized at the event for their time and effort on behalf of animals in transition. There is a lot of good work being done out there — roll up your sleeves and join the challenge!!

08/03/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)Sometimes when I listen to the news, I forget about the goodness of people who step up to the plate and do what needs to be done. We received a message on our voicemail and our immediate response was: We have to help this guy! He left a message that he took in a cat for a friend who couldn’t keep it and then he took in a different cat from a different friend who couldn’t keep it and THEN he found out that both cats were pregnant and NOW he has two kitten litters at his house. Can you imagine? Even though our kitten fosters are bursting at the seams, this guy gets gold stars and so we have left a message for him to please call us so that we can figure out how many kittens, how old they are, what he needs and get them in for spay/neuter (and the Moms if we can!!). I hope his friends realize what a good friend they have because he wasn’t complaining, just looking for some help…and aren’t we all … be kind today, you don’t know anyone elses’ struggles.

08/03/2019-Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)For some reason, this was a busy NWAC week for me. If you ever have an interest in driving all over Portland, we need transport people. Today I’m taking a cat for an ultrasound — I’ve never met this cat and know nothing about what is being ultrasounded or why but – the cat needs to go to the Vet and I’m available (and probably grateful to have an excuse to not do yardwork this afternoon!) We had our first Family Promise animal; met the owner @Vista Pet Hospital so the cat could be examined and receive vaccinations prior to being placed in foster care. A black cat named Ninja; such a sweetheart. One of our Facebook community has stepped forward to help socialize Odie so I piggy-backed him onto Ninja’s vet appointment just to see if his skin has healed enough to get vaccinations so that he is safe to be out and about instead of under house arrest. He got two and will get the rest in three weeks and THEN he can go explore life. It’s a beautiful weekend – I hope YOU are exploring life. It’s out there … go do something unexpected and good today.

07/30/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)I love Portland! I love Summer! I love seeing all the people out walking their dogs, sharing a treat or a lawn sprinkler. Just watching everyone outside enjoying themselves puts a smile on my face. Get out and enjoy!

07/28/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)What a beautiful summer — now that it is finally here! It has been a busy couple of weeks, dog adoptions, kitten adoptions. Such happy new beginnings! We are starting two new beginnings ourselves: First of all, we have signed up to participate with Portland PopCats in September. It will be a new venture for us but it looks like a lot of fun so if you are cat-oriented, put it on your calendar and we will hopefully see you there! I was worried that we might not have kittens for the event but we are still getting pregnant cats so — that worry can be put to rest! Our other new beginning is supporting Family Promise which is a non-profit helping families transition out of homelessness. Some of the options available to human family members do not include fur family members. Family Promise has reached out for temporary housing of animals who are waiting to be reunited when their human family has a place to stay – usually within a month. We have accepted our first “Family Promise” fosters and we’ll see how it goes. Hopefully it will be a win for everyone — including the fur babies who are NOT released into the general shelter population for rehoming. The Catio Tour is coming quickly – early September – it is a great way to spend a Saturday morning and support animal organizations. Even if it rains, everyone is in a good mood and plenty of good vibes to go around.

07/19/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)Here is an Oddie (Odee) picture update. You will recall that Oddie is an eight year old dog who came into rescue as his family was moving. The first picture is from his intake on May 16. You can see his hair is now coming in although he is still bald in spots!

Oddie at Intake

Hair is coming in but still thin

07/18/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) What a week!! This morning I was enjoying some pup snuggles before starting my day and was thinking about how very blessed we are to be a small, local rescue. We partner with people we know and we treat each animal as an individual. We don’t rescue “dogs” we rescue Ollie and Gunner and Buggs. We don’t place animals with fosters until we have gotten to know them and done a home visit. That is the beginning of the relationship, as we continue to learn and develop our relationships with fosters, volunteers and adoption coordinators, trust is developed on each side. It is so comforting to look at an animal in crisis and know, and I mean KNOW, that we have the medical expertise, the foster expertise, the adoption expertise etc. to make a difference to this animal in this situation on an individual level. We aren’t the biggest. We can’t do everything for everyone but we can make a difference one animal at a time. YOU can make a difference one animal at a time. Whether you are providing financial support or helping at adoption events or taking messages off the voice mail or forwarding information on an animal to someone you think might be interested in adopting — each step is important. Maybe you can do one step – maybe you can do two. We are all presented with opportunities and I hope everyone will THINK RESCUE. I signed up for some event tickets this week (nothing to do with animal rescue) and the ticket site came back with a message: A portion of your payment will be donated to a non-profit and then there were four categories for the purchaser to choose: Animals, Environment, Kids and I can’t remember the other one. I chose “Animals” and then the screen said “Would you like to identify a non-profit?” and I said YES and entered Northwest Animal Companions. I have no idea what that means as far as fundraising but if you have opportunities like that, please think rescue and list us. We are also part of the Fred Meyer Rewards program and have now posted an Amazon wish list. Each day. Each animal. Each person doing their best with the opportunities presented to them. Thank you for your support of these fur babies. When I think of the number of people who stepped forward this kitten season (this UNBELIEVEABLE kitten season, we still have pregnant Mom’s coming in and it is the middle of July!!). Most rescue groups (including us) watch the county shelter sites for “bottle baby” kittens because the shelters are not staffed to attend to their constant feedings. To my knowledge, someone somewhere in a rescue has accommodated those bottle babies. The kitten fosters have been absolutely heroic this year and our kitten adoption coordinators have spent unbelievable hours managing the litters that are ready to be adopted with the litters that need vaccinations, with the bottle babies and the ringworm kittens that need to be kept separate. Each person. Each day. Each animal — YOU make a difference. Thank you.

07/16/2019- Rebecca Weber VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! <3🐾💖🐾💖🐾💖🐾💖We are so incredibly happy for Kelley to be recognized for all the hard work she puts into saving animals. She is the backbone of this rescue and we honestly wouldn’t be saving nearly as many animals if it wasn’t for her. Kelley is not only a Board Member with Northwest Animal Companions Oregon, but she doesn’t hesitate to help any living creature day or night even if it means canceling a vacation, tube feedings every 2 hours, or passing up on much needed personal time. Just in the last year Kelley has helped countless cats, dogs, pigs, and even a turtle. While she is technically retired, she spends every waking minute of everyday caring for ANY animal that needs saving. From late nights in Tanasbourne Veterinary Emergency with a sickly animal, to re-habing a tri legged puppy, to working with local rescues and organizations such as Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue to transfer animals, and to being a mentor to people seeking help on local facebook pages. Not only that, she manages several foster homes and oversees care for many of our dogs in rescue! She continues to go above and beyond and will put her heart on her sleeve to save any living creature that needs help. She inspires so many and we will never take for granted all she does as an animal advocate.🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾Please please please, if you are able; VOTE for Kelley to show her how much love and support she has and lets help remind her how special, caring, compassionate, and selfless she is.

Vote now! www.mudbay.com/futy-voting – The winners of the FUTY Festival Volunteer Award of Excellence will be awarded a $1000.00 cash prize and their organization will also receive a $1000.00 donation from Mud Bay.

07/08/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Winnie is a little dog who has spent months at her foster home safely in a closet, under a chair, in a safe crate etc. I just saw on our Facebook page that Winnie is starting to play with her foster brother. Fosters who take on long-term projects have a special place in my heart and adopters who welcome a long-term project into their homes to continue supporting their recovery with love and time get extra kudos. There are a lot of “insta-pets” out there and for the new to being an animal guardian or for a busy life that doesn’t include the extra time necessary to encourage a timid heart, there are well-adjusted, raised-in-a-happy-home pets in rescue through no fault of their own (owner has passed away, family has been transferred, family in crisis – so many reasons that have nothing to do with the animal). Every rescue organization needs fosters and adopters from all walks of life with all sorts of skill sets. I clearly remember one neighbor who called us to help when her neighbor went into a care facility and she watched the family members clean out the house and then put the pet outside and leave. This elderly woman got her walker, hobbled across the street, got the ex-pet and called us for help. I asked if she could keep the animal while we looked for a foster home and she said “What can I do? I’m homebound on a fixed income and can hardly take care of myself”. The important piece was: the animal already knew her. She did keep the ex-pet for a few days until a foster was found and then eventually an adopter. I often think of them sitting in her small living room each wondering what would happen next. Teamwork.

06/30/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) The end of June – where does the time go? It is unbelievable to me that kitten season is still in full swing this year and we are almost into July. If you get the chance to support spay/neuter programs, PLEASE do so with either time or money. It is the best answer to moving forward.

06/23/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Thanks to everyone who came to Chipotle!! Every dollar counts. Today was a good day in that Ollie was adopted and has a new family including a canine brother. They have a hike scheduled for tomorrow and we wish them all well in their new journey. If you are considering a new family member, or know someone who is, please encourage them to do their homework regarding their lifestyle and the type of personality/pet they are looking for: a cuddler? a crazy what-are-we-going-to-do-now? energizer bunny type, a laid-back mellow baby? All types, sizes, shapes and personalities are looking for their forever home. Rescue doesn’t work without adopters, if you have room in your heart and home, or know someone who would benefit from a loving companion, THINK RESCUE!!

06/22/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) WEEK-END WEEK-END WEEK-END!!! I love Oregon! So much to do and see. Get out there and play — and take your pup(s) with you! We have the Chipotle fund-raiser tonight and also an adoption event at MudBay today from 12-2pm. If you are out and about in the Beaverton area today, stop in to either or both and say HI.

06/21/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Every day counts! You have so much to offer and may not even know it. We were recently contacted by a delightful couple who are interested in fostering dogs. However, during our initial conversation we came to understand that they do not own a car and ride the bus to their respective jobs. Commendable for climate change but … 9-10 hours gone at work for each of them doesn’t provide the support needed in a canine foster home. Disappointed, but then they stepped up to the plate and offered to be a cat foster. I told them, “Homes with other animals are great but homes WITHOUT other animals are also great.” So many times, we need a quiet place to tuck someone into for a variety of reasons. At the moment, we have two diva cats who came in with kitten litters. The kittens have been adopted and now these two Mom’s each need to reign in their own (cat-free) space while we look for the right forever home for each of them. One of those divas is headed their way … honestly, we have the BEST foster families!!

06/19/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) What an amazing experience to watch the transformation from a scared what-is-happening-to-me … wait, where-am-I-going? new to rescue animal become a relaxed, calm bundle of love. It is an easy road for some and a very difficult road for others. Little Odie (O-dee) has a hard road to travel. For whatever reason, he has not been well socialized and is now having new experiences every day. When your world is constantly upside down, it is hard not to be anxious. However, after destroying two crates, he now trots willingly into the crate for a snack or for the night. I suspect he has never had a yard because given the choice between grass/garden and cement, he chooses to relieve himself on cement. His skin and ears are improving but he remains basically bald. He chooses to snuggle right next to someone and loves being pet. Now, we need to find brave, experienced people who will help him take the next socialization steps.

06/18/2019- Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Where does the time go? We had a great time at the Rally events and met a lot of people who love cars and dogs — now THAT’S a winning combination! We are looking forward to more upcoming events – we have a fundraiser this Saturday at Chipotle (see Facebook for details) and two adoption events this Saturday as well. Dog adoptions at MudBay and kitten kalooza at PetSmart on Cedar Hills/Walker Road from 12-4. Kitten season didn’t really sneak up on us because we knew it was coming but … we didn’t know it would SLAM into everyone. I mean everyone! All known kitten foster homes are bursting at the seams and if kitten energy could be harnessed, those kitten fosters would not have to pay a utility bill for the next two months. I cannot foster kittens because I know my limits but ask a kitten foster and they will happily whip out their phone which (trust me) will have dozens of cute kitten pictures.

04/20/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) I don’t know what you were doing Thursday evening but I had a great time at the Rally event. Of course, the stars were the dogs…as one woman said “Whose idea was it to bring adoptable dogs someplace where people are drinking alcohol? Give me another couple of beers and I’ll take all of them home!”. Umm, that hadn’t crossed my mind until she mentioned it but … It was one of those perfect summer evenings and the location was excellent. I did have time to check it out earlier on Thursday and saw that they had a large tent with gravel ground, wooden plank tables and multiple doors available to dash outside if necessary. It was a good turnout and a lot of fun. I can’t speak for all the dogs but they were each working the crowd and I’m sure all slept well when they got home. The three puppies – I hardly think their paws touched the ground. They were snoozing in their pen toward the end of the evening. It was a welcoming crowd and good practice for the dogs. Win-Win-Win.

04/17/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) I hope I have some extra time today to check out the venue for tomorrow night’s Rally event. It is always dicey to bring foster animals (who are usually skittish to begin with as their foster is their ONLY security at this point in their life) to a new space. If I can’t check out the venue before an event — look for doors if I need to make a quick escape, find a quiet corner in case I need to take an animal away from the crowd for a minute etc. then I am leary of bringing a foster animal into unknown territory. On the other hand, what a great opportunity to have a foster dog mingle with new people. Maybe we will see you tomorrow night, check out NWAC Facebook for the details…

04/17/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) I like the current trend in rescue which is rewarding rescues to learn about and help each other. It allows us to better direct people to an organization structured to meet their specific need and it strengthens the flow of resources. For example, if we are offered a donation that we can not utilize due to space or some other reason, if we know of a rescue that can put that donation to work, we can help get the resource from Point A to Point B. It is time-consuming for sure but its a fun way of meeting a lot of great people.

04/15/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) There is a reason that rescues place animals in a quarantine when they are first released to rescue. First of all, you can’t believe everything you have been told about the animal. We took in a stray female dog on an emergent basis — and the foster woke up the next morning to find she had given birth to three puppies. In the foster’s defense, it was late at night and the dog was an emergency placement as the people who found her wandering couldn’t take her anywhere and no shelters were open. ANYWAY, we have recently accepted a four-year old female pitbull. What a sweetheart. However, yesterday was another first for me. I have never had a foster call (after the dog has seen two different vets!!) to say they were with a friend who looked the dog over and asked “What is that?” The foster replied “I think it’s a skin tag” and the friend said “A what? That is a tick”. Sure enough, back to yet a third Vet and yes, fourteen ticks removed. You just never know — which is why we appreciate both our regular fosters and our quarantine fosters and soon we will be looking for another category: temporary fosters. As we talk with people in other rescues, we are all looking for the same category of people, someone who can take an animal for a specific period of time while the owners are unable to look after them. Right now we have a 20 year old cat whose owner is just out of the hospital and needs to be in rehab for a couple of months. We have a foster home for this cat but we are becoming too familiar with this type of situation; we need to develop a roster of temporary foster homes.

04/14/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) I’ll admit it right off – I’m biased toward NWAC adoptable animals. Why? Because we know them. We know them because they are in foster homes and they aren’t “hurried” to get adopted. We wait for the right fit — not the “right now” fit. If we have a fearful one that needs to live in the corner of someone’s closet for three months (Winnie) – well, she can watch the world from her safe corner until she is ready to venture out; and then she will find a welcoming, calm, experienced transitional foster home waiting for her. I don’t even know how many fearful dogs this foster family have brought back from the edge. Yesterday at Mud Bay I met Hawk and Fletcher. Hawk is absolutely gorgeous and although he is timid/watchful, he WANTS to be included. Anyone will tell you that attitude is 75% of the battle. He is fortunate to be with someone who will encourage him to put his toes in the water. Fletcher seems to be a total goofy guy. I think if he had a vehicle, it would be a pickup so that he could put the tailgate down and invite everyone over for a party. Because Luther is a little guy, HE was up on top of the table so that he could watch the world without getting stepped on. Encouraged, supported, praised and protected…these sweet babies are safe for the moment but waiting on their forever families to start the next chapter of life.

04/13/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) FINALLY the weekend. I wonder how many of our pups wait for it like we do? More time for walks and doing “stuff”. Mine are looking forward (not really) to getting flea treatment today and generally some housekeeping. I think that is why we have rainy days. It’s an adoption event today at MudBay which is always fun to check in with other volunteers and people involved in the community. I hope you have a good day planned for all.

04/11/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) Honestly, it’s like sending a kid out for a sleepover. Sweet Gypsy is a cat who has been showcased at Vista Pet in the NWAC cat cage for a few weeks. Now, she is going home with someone for a trial and if it works (fingers crossed) she will have a new home. All those admonitions: say “please” and “thank you”, don’t chew with your mouth open, don’t get wild and crazy, eat whatever is served for dinner without complaining..I hope Gypsy has a good visit. I wish she knew how to text.

04/09/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) NWAC volunteers attended a really great meeting hosted by PetSmart Charities recently. There are actually very few opportunities for Rescue groups to network with each other so that WE know what is available out there. We each stood and introduced ourselves and our group. I learned about organizations I had no idea existed: Family Promises who works with families on-the-edge or homeless to stay together (including their pets) and Fido Pet Food Bank which works with Meals on Wheels to include pet food for people who get Meals of Wheels and who have pets to feed. These are just two that I was unaware of in the Portland area. What great ideas and what an opportunity to try to reach people further “up-the-leash” than a traditional rescue or shelter.

04/07/19 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC) What is going on? It must be a full moon. Two stray dogs needing to be trapped in different parts of Portland (we only have one dog trap so hopefully someone else will also step in), two cats needing temporary help while their owner is in the hospital, two dogs (12 yrs and 9 yrs) losing their home. I so appreciate our NWAC volunteer who listens to our voice mail messages and then distributes them for follow-up to either the dog or cat coordinators. Not sure what needs to happen with these but clearly something is needed in each situation.

04/07/19 – Elaine Hartman President of NWAC)

Tomorrow is National Dogfighting Awareness Day. Who knew. I hope someday we won’t have to remember there ever was such a thing.

04/05/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

You just never know, do you? I hope you soak up information like a thirsty sponge so that when you are presented with a difficult situation, you are able to give some constructive comments. One of our volunteers was presented with a sticky-wicket involving a dog with a horrible skin issue. Multiple Vets already consulted; no improvement, what to do? The NWAC volunteer contacted someone she knows with a health food store background who suggested some natural remedies. We’ll see if that works … if not, on to the next possible solution. Something somehow should work. Onward.

04/04/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

There are so many great books out there about Portland and the surrounding area – beautiful hiking trails, urban green spaces and around your own neighborhood. Spring always says to me: Get outside, get moving, take a friend and go exploring. Maybe we’ll meet some of you doing the same …

04/03/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

What a perfectly gorgeous weekend we had in Portland! Were you out-and-about? I was working in my yard. Two pups supervising activity in the front yard, two pups on sentry duty in the side yard and two pups supervising back yard activity. I hope whatever you did, you did it with four-footed friends along.

04/02/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Don’t you just love neighborhoods? I ran into the grocery store for that infamous “just one thing” and ran smack into Bruce. Several years ago, Bruce helped us at PetsMart when we were on Walker Rd/Cedar Hills Blvd and had a volunteer schedule to clean the cat cages. He also helped with our website and generally helped in a lot of niches. As life takes unexpected turns, Bruce was no longer able to volunteer and we left that PetsMart location. When I saw Bruce, we both whipped out our phones – him to show the latest kittens that he and his family are fostering and me to show pictures of my pups. I haven’t seen Bruce for a long time but it was just like yesterday! Volunteering turns strangers into friends. Try it.

04/01/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

I love taking care of my friends’ dog when they are out of town for the weekend. Although several training attempts have been made during several years (and the dog has been theirs since she was a puppy), the dog always celebrates any company at the door with a happy dance and a parade of toys — just in case you might find one that you particularly like and maybe, maybe, maybe would THROW it down the hall. I tell them, “Every time I enter your house, I feel like a ROCK STAR.” You can not stay in a bad mood with that level of enthusiasm

03/31/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Butterscotch. My first cat. A co-worker and her neighbor were taking care of a cat left behind when someone else moved out. They decided the cat needed a home. They decided that home should be me. I met Butterscotch, she seemed like a nice cat but truthfully, at that point, I had no cat experience. Butterscotch was a street-wise kitty. She trained me. She trained my Spitz. She ran the house. I was worried about bringing a cat into a dog-only home but my co-worker was correct: It depends on both the dog and the cat – and that particular cat was a problem-solver. She laid down the law as soon as she walked into the house and peace reigned. Never had an issue between them. Sometimes our limitations in life are the ones we make up in our own minds.

03/30/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

How many places have you gone with your dog? Long ago when I was working with a very fearful dog, it was suggested that I pop him in the car and take him EVERYWHERE with me – run as many errands, as often as possible.

We went to the bank (he got a treat from the drive-thru window), we went to Dairy Queen (he got a small cone from the drive-thru window), we went to Pet stores during the day when their parking lots were empty. I went in first and handed out dog treats to the employees. When I came back in through the door with my dog, it was magical: everyone who walked past him happened to drop his favorite treat without looking at him or talking to him. At the grocery store, I asked the person at the check-out stand to please carry my grocery bag out to the car, explaining that my dog was behind a barrier and that he would bark and growl but couldn’t actually do anything so I just needed the grocery person to totally ignore him and hand me the grocery bag after I opened the car door so that I could put the groceries inside the car. Everyone that I asked graciously helped me work with that dog…one minute, two minutes, five minutes they all add up to success.

Be creative – everyone breathing on this planet has issues and every single one of us can use a little help from a friend.

03/29/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Kitten season is upon us! Our first pregnant-roaming-the-neighborhood cat has been spotted and is in the process of being trapped/enticed inside to have her kittens. Rescue amazes me – the diverse skill sets that come together for the whole. There are people who go out in the evening/nights to feed colonies of feral cats. They have a route and they know “their” cats. There are people that trap stray animals – a rescue gets a call regarding an abandoned cat or dog that is lurking around a neighborhood and rescue volunteers set up traps and routinely check the traps until the animal is caught. There are people who love litters. Sometimes these fosters will have a different Mama cat/kittens in 2-3 different rooms in their home. Once the kittens are a little older, they invite kids in to play with the kittens to socialize the kittens while the Moms visit over coffee or they have their grandkids come over for the morning. What is your skill set? Rescue needs you.

03/28/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

I miss Fonzie. He was a bad-tempered peke-a-poo but he was an EXCELLENT fly catcher. It’s like being able to roll your tongue – either you can, or you can’t. Fonzie took it as his mission to have a fly-free home and he was a skilled fly hunter. Subsequent dogs couldn’t care less. Now, I have a border collie. He can stalk flies but he isn’t fast enough to kill them Celebrate the skills you have and those of your four-footed friends. I miss Fonzie.

03/27/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Sometimes we can’t help. I would like to say we can always help but that just isn’t reality. Another message was left on the NWAC voice mail and I returned her call. A woman with a cat, just evicted, no where to go, going to be living in her car. No phone service, using wi-fi for her phone so no response unless she is in a free wi-fi space. She was at WalMart when I returned her call getting a small bag of litter for the cat. She was unprepared and had no supplies and wanted to place the cat into rescue. I asked her to describe her cat. The cat doesn’t like dogs. It doesn’t get along with other cats. It has no experience with children but she said it wouldn’t do well with kids. It only lets her pick it up. No Vet records or vet to contact. I explained to her that this would be a difficult cat to place into a foster situation since we don’t have many animal-less foster homes and it doesn’t sound successful for a foster home with a dog or a cat or kids. She said they would try the car for a few days and see what happened. I was never able to reach her again. Sometimes, you just have to hope for the best. Socialization is so important…it opens a lot of doors. Please let your animals experience as much life as you can, get them out and about and used to all kinds of new experiences. You just never know what is around the next corner.

03/26/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Fearful dogs are a challenge. Sometimes they completely shut down. Sometimes they develop a “strike first” defense. So many dogs labeled aggressive are actually scared spitless. It takes time, energy, patience and attention to detail to work with a fearful dog. Sometimes you are lucky enough and observant enough to discover their triggers. I had one dog that reacted badly (lunged at) men with mustaches – I have no idea why – but I knew when I had the dog and we were approached by a man with a mustache that there was going to be trouble. So many times these animals need a calm home (either with or without calm, non-reactive animals) to chill for awhile. It is a long journey for every one but it is rewarding to watch their trust develop. Kathy (NWAC foster) is especially skilled with fearful dogs…but she can only work with one at a time and they literally take months to reach. Totally worth it, though.

03/25/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Another NWAC voice mail; from a woman wanting to rehome her dog because she couldn’t handle it on walks. I returned her call and then another volunteer and I went to visit her. Big sign on the front door: Oxygen in use. Woman using a walker opens the door. HUGE 60 lb black dog standing behind her. Conversation reveals the woman is confined to the house, so her two cats and the dog are also confined to the house. The dog is 8 years old, some type of Lab mix who spends her day sleeping on her pillow watching Animal Planet and then pads down the hallway to bed in the evenings. If they do attempt a walk, the woman can not control the dog, it pulls her over. It is clear she loves the dog. It is obvious the dog is well-fed, beautiful coat and sparkly eyes. The woman with tears says “My health continues to decline, this isn’t right, the dog needs a better life”. We offer to have volunteers come over and walk the dog for her every day. We offer other suggestions (family, friends, neighbors?) could become a safety net for her. She says she wants the dog placed in a “good home”. We start looking and through someone who knows someone who knows someone, we find a person that the owner also knows who is willing to give the dog a home with his family. This is rescue– even though technically the dog was never released to NWAC for placement. How do you define success? To me, this is it.

03/24/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Do you make an effort to compliment people on their dogs? I do. A well-behaved dog tells me someone has taken the time and made the effort to teach their dogs how to behave in public. …and for those of us still struggling to master leash manners, that team ABSOLUTELY needs encouragement! For those of you who have well-behaved dogs and for those of you who “dream of the day …” KUDOS to each of us! …and to the pups who make us proud and embarrass us but still keep trying anyway. Practice is how we learn…

03/22/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

It wasn’t until I recently toured the Clackamas County Animal Services building that I was told about a musician who decided to address the issue of “calming” stressed animals for their PhD degree. Through their research, the most soothing sounds and rhythms were identified. Then, this person approached professional musicians to compose music that would fit their criteria. Some very famous people donated their talent to an app that now plays music on speakers for shelter dogs. Who knew? I’m sure some of us with new fosters or anxious dogs could benefit as well. I learned a lot of new information during the Clackamas shelter tour. Next on my list is SW Washington because I’ve been told they have a program working with difficult dog behaviors and I want to understand what they are doing and see what is available. New skills usually come in handy at some point down the road…

03/21/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Our volunteer grant writer has found grants that are seeking “innovative programs that encourage adoptions or help animals while in transition”. We are exploring two: (1) some type of retention program to support families with animals BEFORE the animal is placed into rescue/shelter and (2) some type of collaboration with trainers and other professionals to help address behavior issues once the animal is placed into rescue. We are fortunate to have knowledgeable people we can contact when we are presented with new and/or difficult behavior: Why isn’t the cat using the litter box all of a sudden? Why does my dog softly howl at me for 30-45 minutes? New behavior that has an answer but we all need help trying to figure out what the problem is and what needs to be done about it – hopefully before the owner is so frustrated that rehoming the animal seems like the best solution. It is good that there are people “together” enough to reward rescues and other organizations for “thinking outside the box” for new solutions to longstanding challenges. Reading the previous years’ winners of these grants and the programs they have developed is truly inspirational. Maybe someday, we will be listed in the previous winners category. Do you have an idea/suggestion/comment for an innovation to either help the animals already released into rescue or to help a current owner retain their animal? We’d love to hear from you.

03/20/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

It’s getting closer, Gunner’s big day at the Vet to get his teeth cleaned, his nails cut and the hair between his foot pads trimmed. Gunner is an eleven year old purebred English Setter whose previous owner became very ill at the end of February, was placed in hospice and passed away the middle of March. It is a testimony to the previous owner that neighbors, friends, the hospice nurse and family came together to let Gunner out, feed him, bring him to the hospice for visits and give Gunner some company when he became bereft of his loving guardian. Once placed in rescue, Gunner was fortunate to have a foster home with older dogs and experienced enough to help Gunner find his way out of the familiar into the new. Placed on Petfinder as an adoptable dog, Gunner continued to give the foster home clues regarding his ideal home. Unbeknownst to us, someone looking for an English Setter had placed an alert in Petfinder to notify them of any setter within 100 miles of their zip code and – Gunner popped up. At the home check, Gunner found a retired couple very familiar with setter quirks and ready for a walking companion (the lady) and supervision in the garden (the gentleman). In addition, there were many, many bird feeders out. Is that how a bird dog defines heaven? Could be … after his dental, he will be all prettied up and ready to start his next chapter. New beginnings are exactly why rescue works …

03/19/2019 – Elaine Hartman (President of NWAC)

Rescue groups deal with a variety of issues that are not always apparent from the social media presence of a website, Facebook or other outlets. People who help with rescues, whether as grant writers, fosters, adoption coordinators, home-check people, event coordinators (and the list goes on) – we all have one thing in common: We are willing to be a voice for the voiceless and to step off the safety of the curb.

Northwest Animal Companions interacts with people from many different walks of life in sometimes difficult/complex situations. Some of our biggest challenges come from messages on our voice mail. Just last night I talked with a person who is trying to do the right thing but is exhausted and needs support. Nine months ago she took in her friend’s four year old hound/ridgeback/pit mix when her friend was in the middle of a divorce. The dog was raised with a family, is good with other dogs, likes cats and kids and is generally a sweetheart. The caller lives in the country. She loves this dog. Unfortunately, she was walking the dog into her house unleashed from the driveway and the dog saw a cow in the field next door and went over to investigate. I’m not sure what actually happened (or didn’t happen) but she has called multiple rescues because she believes the dog needs to be in an urban environment with a family. Talking with her, it was apparent she wants to keep the dog. As the conversation continued, she is actually packing her house and trying to move more into town with the dog and her cat but during this interim time, she is dealing with Animal Control, angry neighbors and her landlord. Unfortunately all the rescues/shelters she called have a 3-4 week wait list for dog intakes. She did move the dog temporarily to someone that she knows but within 24 hours she was called by someone else who found the dog wandering outside so now the dog is back with her. As I told her, many rescues are in the same position as we are: We work solely with foster homes and do not have a facility. We don’t take in animals unless we see their Vet records or have confirmation through our Vet that the animal has been vaccinated and is safe to be in our foster home. It’s a process. We don’t have an “emergency slot” anywhere. These situations are difficult because it is hard to discern how best to help: temporary foster for the dog for a couple of weeks? assistance with Animal Control? Take the dog into rescue to find a new family? He already has a loving person who is trying to do right with him. Things sometimes get messy when you step off the curb into someone else’s chaos but that is exactly what rescue does.